Sarah Fowler: “I’m bowled over by this generous donation from Derbyshire Country Cottages, people have kindly been sponsoring me smaller amounts but this is the first big donation and has given an unexpected boost to the total so far – I’d like to thank Sylvia Stimson, Christine Hodgson and their team for their public-spirited generosity.”

Derbyshire Country Cottages is a family-run business with 100 holiday cottages for hire in the Peak District. Every time someone books one of their cottages the holidaymakers have the opportunity to donate £1 to the National Park. The business has previously donated this money to pay for a dewpond to be restored near Sheldon and have bought a specially adapted bicycle for disabled people.

Sylvia Stimson, who started Derbyshire Country Cottages 22 years ago, said: “I read about Sarah’s appeal in our local newspaper and thought it was such a good cause that I gave her office a call and offered our current donations pot to sponsor her bike ride.”

Christine Hodgson said: “Our customers come to enjoy the Peak District National Park and Derbyshire, and we wouldn’t have a business if they didn’t love visiting here, so it’s great to give a bit back and support Sarah’s appeal.”

Sarah has entered the 55-mile ride of the Eroica Britannia cycling festival but will switch to the 100-mile event if the sponsorship total hits £5,000. She will be one of 3,000 riders dressed in vintage fashions on pre-1987 road-racing bikes who will set off from Bakewell during the early hours of Sunday June 21.

Derbyshire County Cottage’s donation moves Sarah closer to her target of £8,000 that will buy a lightweight all-terrain machine to give disabled riders the chance to enjoy the Peak District’s miles of traffic-free trails.